St. Martha
Patron of cooks
"Jesus loved Martha and Mary and Lazarus." This unique statement in John's gospel tells us of the special relationship Jesus had with Martha, her sister, and her brother.
Apparently Jesus was a frequent guest at Martha's home in Bethany, a small village two miles from Jerusalem. We read of three visits in Luke 10:38-42, John 11:1-53, and John 12:1-9.
Many of us find it easy to identify with Martha in the story Luke tells. Martha welcomes Jesus and his disciples into her home and immediately goes to work to serve them. Hospitality is paramount in the Middle East and Martha believed in its importance. Imagine her frustration when her sister Mary ignores the rule of hospitality and Martha's work in order to sit and listen to Jesus. Instead of speaking to her sister, she asks Jesus to intervene. Jesus' response is not unkind, which gives us an idea of his affection for her. He observes that Martha is worried about many things that distract her from really being present to him. He reminds her that there is only one thing that is truly important -- listening to him. And that is what Mary has done. In Martha we see ourselves -- worried and distracted by all we have to do in the world and forgetting to spend time with Jesus. It is, however, comforting to note that Jesus loved her just the same.
The next visit shows how well Martha learned this lesson. She is grieving the death of her brother with a house full of mourners when she hears that Jesus has just come to the area. She gets up immediately and leaves the guests, leaves her mourning, and goes to meet him.
Her conversation with Jesus shows her faith and courage. In this dialogue she states clearly without doubt that she believes in Jesus' power, in the resurrection, and most of all that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus tells her that he is the resurrection and the life and then goes on to raise her brother from the dead. Our final picture of Martha in Scripture is the one that sums up who she was. Jesus has returned to Bethany some time later to share a meal with his good friends. In this home were three extraordinary people. We hear how brother Lazarus caused a stir when was brought back to life. We hear how Mary causes a commotion at dinner by annointing Jesus with expensive perfume. But all we hear about Martha is the simple statement: "Martha served." She isn't in the spotlight, she doesn't do showy things, she doesn't receive spectacular miracles. She simply serves Jesus.
We know nothing more about Martha and what happened to her later. According to a totally untrustworthy legend Martha accompanied Mary to evangelize France after Pentecost.
But wouldn't it be wonderful if the most important thing that could be said about us is "They served"?
Martha is the patron saint of servants and cooks.
In Her FootstepsDorothy Day said: "If everyone were holy and handsome, it would be easy to see Christ in everyone. But it was not Christ's way for himself. Ask honestly what you would do when a beggar asked at your house for food. Would you give it on an old cracked plate, thinking that was good enough? Do you think that Martha and Mary thought that the old and chipped dish was good enough for their guest? It is not a duty to help Christ -- it is a privilege." In what ways do you serve Christ others grudgingly or sparingly? How can you serve them the way Martha served Christ, putting her whole self into it?
Prayer:Saint Martha, pray for us that we might serve Jesus better. Help us to overcome our distractions and worries to listen to his words and be present to him this day. Amen
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Martha was a very graceful woman and is my confirmation name. this site was very helpful for dote points i could use for my speech
The details I want to know about St. Martha is clearly writen. thanks!
A well-written article on St. Martha, sister of Mary Magdalene and Lazarus.
Today is my birthday (July 29th), and how surprised I was to discover that it is Saint Martha's Day, as 'Martha' is also my wife's name! Thank you for this useful Web site!
Saint Martha pray for us all; pray when our brothers and sisters excel we may enjoy to behold their success; pray when they are fallen down we may help them to rise up; pray we may serve as best we can at the bright Wedding Feast of the Lamb in shining new Jerusalem, Alleluia, Amen
I had my sister, Martha. She was truly like Martha in the bible. I miss her. May she be serving Jesus in heaven.
See the beautiful Novena to St Martha (lighted candle every Tuesday and prayer for your intention over 9 Tuesdays).
May I have the answer to my health problems and finances to improve as quickly as possible and peace in my life for me and my family.
i have been like martha in many ways. haven't we all? such as being distracted for instance!
today i had to pick my final saint and i thought that when i read this saint martha was the right one for me.
after i read about st.martha ....she was the best pick for me....st.martha did kind things.....(shouldnt we all do kind things) i think so....
I Love St. Martha!! We have to do a report on a saint. my b.f.f is doing Mary, and back then they were sisters, so it's like we are to in real life!!!!
This is a great Saint. she is kind and pure.
Saint Martha is a great saint i did a report on her and my class loved it!! Plus i luv 2 cook!!!!
i am in the 6th grd and i have to go a project is this a good st. to do ???
St. Martha is a truly kind & understanding Saint. She has blessed me numerous times when I said her nine day novena. Thank you most sincerely St. Martha. XXXX
I did my report on it and it and it ROCKED
yo i love this saint!
this ma favv saint!! :]
i love this saint, i see myself SO MUCH in saint martha!!!!!!!! =]
this is the bestttttttttttttttttttt saint Eva ......... love her
I will be confirmed at the Easter Vigil. Am I an older woman and really see myself in Martha. I only hope I can serve God with the love that Martha did.
Martha was a very beautiful sole and i hope i can find the selfless grace of her in me.xxx
St Martha is a wonderful saint who has answered my prayers over the years for my family. My son's hearing was normal within the nine Tuesdays. I am praying for my 20 year old daughter who has a cataract, my husband's blood pressure to return to normal,that I will find apermanent teaching post in a school where God wants me to be, that my brother will find peace in this life and in the next, that my Theresa and Patrick will do well in their exams and feel fulfilled, that all of my family will find fulfilling work and above all that they will always have Jesus at the centre of their lives. Amen.
I am making my Confirmation this year and my Saint name is St Martha. Martha was a wonderful women with alot of faith she was heartbroken when her brother was ill.
Saint Martha is one of the better reads so far from me to you.
Her hospitality in the bible.......exceptional,her faith...excellent,..her love..superb...doin my confirmation on saturday and my saint name is Martha...one of the best saints ever..i hope to show hospitality and be as warmhearted as she was....AMEN.
i am making my confirmation this June and i finally found myself in a saint. saint Martha is the saint whose name i will take. i adore her and i know that she will be with me from now on. i <3 Saint Martha:D
I chose Martha as my confirmation name when I was baptized last Easter Vigil, April 3rd, 2010. My son's birthday is July 29th and I am a server and I hope that my son will be as one who serves also. I adore Martha as one who didn't complain and did all of the work. I also loved that she overcomes the dragon!
That is a wonderful article on Martha, putting her in the proper perspective and also highlighting the importance and significance of her hospitality and service to Jesus without becoming showy.
It is a wonderful article which highlights and gives importance to hospitality ; Martha is portrayed as the example of service and as the one who serves the Lord always.
St. Martha is my confirmation name!! She is so good and true.
Martha inspires me. There can be nothing better in life than to serve Jesus. The article is a beauty
My name is Martha but I've always felt myself to be more of a Mary. My life as a wife and mother necessitates I serve others as Martha did but I'm not very efficient and don't get everything done. After reading this article I think maybe St Martha can help me appreciate both the active (Martha) and prayerful (Mary)parts of my life.
I looked up St Martha because her feast day is my birthday. I am very pleased to share a special day with her. I love her prayer.